Principal Accountant

Sierra Space Corporation; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 139,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and Vision

401(k) with match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space Corporation is seeking a Principal Accountant in Colorado to lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closes, ensuring GAAP compliance and accurate financial statements. You will mentor junior staff and manage journal entries, reconciliations, and intercompany activity.

This role requires expertise in project accounting, revenue recognition, lease accounting, and strong internal controls, plus coordinating audits with internal and external teams.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Typically 5+ years of related experience.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP and accounting regulations.
• Exceptional skills with accounting software and MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closes with accuracy.
• Mentor and coach junior accountants.
• Manage journal entries, reconciliations, and intercompany activity.
• Oversee revenue recognition, lease accounting, and project accounting.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors and support internal controls.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

MS Excel

Project accounting

Mentoring

Journal entries

Reconciliations

Intercompany transactions

Financial analysis

Financial reporting

Audit coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role The Principal Accountant role is a highly experienced and skilled senior-level position responsible for managing and maintaining financial records, preparing complex financial statements, and ensuring compliance with accounting regulations. This role requires deep knowledge of accounting principles, project accounting, and revenue recognition, as well as the ability to mentor and coach junior accountants. The role involves verifying the accuracy of entries to ledger accounts, reconciling to the general ledger, and utilizing exceptional skills with accounting software tools and MS Excel for financial analysis and reporting. In this role, you will lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including accruals and intercompany transactions, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. You will conduct in-depth financial analysis and provide insights to senior management to support strategic decision-making. Developing, implementing, and enhancing internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance procedures will be a key responsibility. As a subject matter expert, you will address complex accounting issues, including revenue recognition, lease accounting, and other technical topics. You will lead audit processes by coordinating with internal and external auditors, ensuring compliance with GAAP and other regulatory requirements. Mentoring and training accounting staff, you will provide leadership and expertise to ensure accuracy and efficiency in financial processes. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including finance, tax, and operations, you will optimize financial processes and reporting. Staying updated on changes in accounting regulations and industry best practices, you will proactively adapt accounting policies to ensure compliance. Utilizing exceptional skills with accounting software tools and Microsoft Excel, you will perform detailed financial analysis and reporting. Applying solid knowledge and understanding of project accounting and revenue recognition principles, you will support accurate and transparent financial management. Additionally, you will perform other accounting-related duties as assigned, contributing to the overall success of the accounting team.

About You Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
• Typically 5+ years of related experience.
• Deep and complete knowledge of accounting regulations and procedures, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Exceptional skills with accounting software tools and MS Excel.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of project accounting and revenue recognition principles.
• Ability to provide effective coaching and mentoring to junior accountants.
• Experience in preparing journal entries, accounting reconciliations, and with the month-end close.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Public accounting experience.
• Public company experience.
• Aerospace industry experience.
• Familiarity with SAP.
• Experience with financial reporting and other accounting activities.

Compensation:

Pay Range: $138,626.00 - $190,631.75 Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations. We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

Application Deadline:

This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified. Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees. Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission-proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions.

With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight-proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies.

Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth.

Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.